Phil Murphy smacks at Trump to protect net neutrality in N.J.

Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday unveiled his latest effort combatting President Donald Trump's administration: two moves he said will help protect "open" internet access for New Jerseyans in the wake of the federal government's controversial decision to repeal net-neutrality rules.

Murphy signed an executive order making New Jersey the third state that requires internet service providers "adhere to the principles of net neutrality" if they want a contract to do business with the state.

"Our intent is clear: New Jerseyans deserve free, open, and equal access to the internet," Murphy said during a news conference in Newark. "The internet is no longer a curious plaything available only to a select few. It is now a vital part of everyday life."

"Net neutrality" refers to the idea that all internet service providers -- or ISPs -- should treat all web traffic as being equal, so all websites will load equally as fast.

The FCC enacted the rules in 2015 under President Barack Obama's administration to prevent major telecom companies from charging customers extra for premium "fast lanes" with better internet access.

But the FCC repealed the rules in December. Ajit Pai, the FCC chairman appointed by Trump, argued that the "heavy-handed" regulations hindered broadband internet expansion and competition. He added that the commission was simply "restoring the light-touch framework that has governed the internet for most of its existence."

The broadband industry said people's internet experiences won't change, even though companies lobbied to overturn the regulations.

Murphy said New Jersey cannot "unilaterally regulate net neutrality back into law" or "cement it" in state regulation.

But he noted the state is a major purchaser of internet services and thus can "exercise its power as a consumer to make our preferences known."

Murphy's executive order applies to all state contracts that are awarded or renewed on or after July 1 of this year.

It follows similar orders that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Montana Gov. Steve Bullock enacted in their states.

Murphy said he has already met with many internet companies who say they will "adhere, as a matter of honor, to net neutrality."

This is Murphy's ninth executive order in 20 days as governor. Most have been efforts to either reverse policies put in place by his predecessor, Republican Chris Christie, or to fight Trump.

Meanwhile, New Jersey will join the lawsuit initiated by New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, another Democrat who has been critical of the policies of Trump, a Republican.

The suit argues that the FCC repealed the rules without justification and "while either misinterpreting or ignoring evidence in the record of potential harm to consumers and businesses," according to the New Jersey attorney general's office.

State Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a statement that New Jersey is "committed to taking whatever legal action we can to preserve the internet rights of New Jersey consumers, and to challenge the federal government's misguided attack on a free and open internet."

Murphy held Monday's news conference at InCharged, a Newark company that promotes cell-phone charging stations.

CEO Jessica Gonzalez said net neutrality "levels the playing field" to protect smaller companies like hers.

"Without net neutrality, businesses and communities around New Jersey will suffer," Gonzalez said.